Advantage Travel Centres’ preferred suppliers are becoming more agent friendly, a new survey has revealed.
A consortium survey invites members to award ticks to commercial partners, depending on a number of factors including trade-only sales, direct sales discounting, price-matching and whether marketing plans include a call to action for agents.
The 2009 survey has revealed 33 partners have been awarded the maximum four ticks, 43 have achieved three ticks and 31 received two ticks.
The new results show an increase on the 2008 survey, with 15 operators gaining two additional ticks, and 15 winning one additional tick, while a further 41 partners saw no change in their ratings.
The survey revealed 43% of partners that discount on direct sales, will also offer a price-match through the agent with full commission protected, while 11% will price-match, but commission will be reduced.
More than half of partners mailing customers will direct them to book through an agent, while 59% will provide marketing materials overbranded with agents’ details.
Another 65% offer trade-only websites, while 52% of partners provide Advantage members with local, national or free phone numbers, as opposed to expensive 087 or 084 numbers for reservations and agency sales lines.